Until the last few years, your credit report was maintained by the credit report companies but was generally not accessible to you. Widespread internet access, allowing nearly every American regular online access, has changed that. You are now able to get information about your credit report at any time from almost anywhere.

On their websites, many credit report companies have available instant online credit reports. By putting in one’s personal details and then authorizing the credit report company to pull up your particular credit data, you’re able to see what all exactly is on this report, which puts you on equal footing with any financial dealer with whom you do business; you’re both able to see what exactly has happened in your financial history in the past seven years.

Don’t hesitate to use credit report companies because you’re afraid of releasing personal details; these companies are committed to keeping your information secure. They don’t want to risk their reputations by being careless with your data. They use the best anti-hacker and anti-identity-theft technology available, giving you the information you need without letting your personal data fall into the wrong hands.

Of course not all internet sites and even offline retailers are so careful with your personal data, and that’s one of the greatest boons of having access to an instant online credit report. By examining this report, you’re able to see exactly what financial transactions have been completed in your name–using your identity–within the past seven years. If you’re made aware of identity theft through a transaction on your credit report of which you weren’t actually a party, you can go ahead and start working to resolve this issue.

It is quite possible that there have been transactions on your credit report that you never authorized, and that will damage your good credit. This can lead to bad personal and financial consequences. You may start getting letters and calls from creditors with whom you have never done business. You certainly don’t want to add to the $56.6 billion that Americans lose each year to identity theft.

Credit report companies allow you to keep up with your credit reports, and determine if any unauthorized or unusual activity is occurring. You can thus be more certain of your exact credit score with each company and also have better protection of your good name. This will enhance your economic security and your peace of mind.

As a result of the widespread availability of internet access, many individuals can now have instant access to their personal credit reports. Credit report companies now make their services available online and put a high priority on security. The instant online credit report not only allows you to see your credit history but also your credit score. By frequently auditing your credit report online, you can make a credit report company aware when a fraudulent and potential damaging item appears on your credit report. Since most people are interested in financial security, the instant availability of a credit report has given a lot of people peace of mind.

- Daniel Lesser